Hydraulic jack



J. J. MUELLER HYDRAULIC JACK Jan. 13, 1948.

Filed March 2, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 qmhwhmwmwvgwm QNNQQ w Jr? J. J. MUELLER HYDRAULIC JACK 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed March 2, 1944 M m W Patented Jan. 13, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC JACK Joseph J. Mueller, St; Joseph, Mich., assignoito Auto Specialties Manufacturing Company, St. Joseph, Mich., a-corporation of Michigan Application March 2, 1944, Serial No. 524,729

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to pushing and pulling devices including jacks, and particularly hydraulically operated automobile jacks.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide an hydraulically operated jack wherein the base is formed as an integral casting which is provided with but two bores, one bore in which is disposed the ram cylinder and ram which lifts the load, and in the other bore is disposed a high pressure pump cylinder and piston and the bypass valve, whereby leakage of high pressure liquid is confined so that it escapes into the liquid reservoir formed in the base, preferably concentric about the ram cylinder, and whereby, since there are only two bores in the otherwise integral, imperiorate base, the possibility of oil leakage otherwise to exterior surfaces of the jack is completely eliminated.

Another object of the invention resides in providing an hydraulic jack for automobiles wherein the pump cylinder is disposed substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ram cylinder and relatively close to the ground so that the jack may be placed under a low car and the pumping mechanism effectively operated from a point clear of the projecting portions at the base of the car and whereby also the by-pass valve for lowering the car may likewise be operated.

Yet another object of the invention resides in providing a jack mechanism wherein a portion of the operating handle of the jack is detachable from the remaining portions of the jack, whereby an otherwise extended and relatively long jack operating handle mechanism may be completely removed so as to provide a structure which is much less bulky and may be readily packed and shipped.

Another object of the invention resides in pro viding an hydraulic jack with a high pressure cylinder and piston and by-pass valve unitar structure which may be removed from the jack base as a unit and which is provided with a handle operating mechanism not only for actuating the hi h pressure pump piston but also for opening and closing the by-pass valve with respect to its seat on the jack body, and in addition means is provided so that a portion of this handle is detachable from the jack to facilitate packing or storage of the jack.

Yet another object of the invention resides in providing a hydraulic jack with a hi h pressure pump cylinder and piston and by-pass valve formed as a unitary structure, together with adtuating mechanism therefor wherein the a tuating mechanism is readily detachable from and at- 2 tachable to the pump cylinder and by-pass valve to facilitate storing or packing.

Other and further objects will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing, partly in section, the completely assembled hydraulic jack with the handle extension in operating position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the jack with the handle extension removed and to the right;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the jack taken on a single plane through the central axis of the ram cylinder and pump cylinder, the pump piston and its connecting rod alone not being shown in section, and with the handle extension being broken away;

Figure 4 shows perspective views of associated parts of the. handle extension structure;

Figure 5 is a plan .view of a modified type of jack;

' Figure 6 is a view of a modified type of jack construction shownin cross section, taken on the line B-5 of Figure 5, wherein the handle is not removable;

Figures 7 and 8 are enlarged, detailed, fragmentary views of the valve mechanism, showing different operating positions;

Figure 9 is a detailed perspective view of the high pressure cylinder; and

Figure 1G is a cross sectional view taken on the line lfi-lli of Figure 7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the jack shown in Figs; 1 to 3 comprises preferably an integral casting having a base 2 provided with a centrally disposed, upstanding annular wall 4 forming a central well and also having a concentrically disposed surrounding outside wall 6, which upstands a considerable distance. This wall 5 is threaded internally as at 8 at its upper end. The top of the outside walls 6 is open to threadedly receive an internal clamping ring l0 A portion of the wall 4 is provided with a relatively short, radially extending passageway 22 which connects with a conical valve seat 24 .formed in the outer face or the well wall 4. This port 22 is disposed substantially at right angles to the longitudinalv central axis of the ram cylinder I8. The valve seat 24 opens into the reservoir 28. In addition, theintegral base casting is provided with V central axis of which registers with the central axis of the radially disposed passage 22. In general this sleeve-like extension 28 is disposed more or less at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ram cylinder I8. It forms preferably slightly less than a right angle with this longitudinal axis or the ram cylinder I8 so as to give the end or the pump operating member an elevation from the ground when the Jack base lies on the ground. This integral sleeve 28 terminates.

as at 88 and is internally threaded as at 82 to accommodate the threaded packing ring 84 which confines the packing 88 against an inner wall 88 of the threaded internal countersunk portion of this sleeve-like extension 28. This packing ring 84 is in turn internally threaded as at 48 for reasons hereinafter set forth.

This integral basal sleeve 28 is provided with a central here to receive a high pressure pump cylinder 42. This cylinder is substantially elongated and is in turn provided with a central bore 44. The inner end of the pump cylinder 42 is provided with a radially disposed passage 48 terminating in a valve seat 48 of larger diameter than the bore 48 A retaining plug 58 closes the opposite end of the here. This retaining plug 88 is provided with a centrally disposed, projecting pin 52 adapted to engage a ball valve 84 when the valve moves away from its valve seat 48 whereby to keep the ball substantially close to the seat whi'e permitting it to unseat. In addi-' tion, the end of the cylinder 42 is provided with a longitudinal threaded bore 58 which is preferably of larger dimensions than the central bore 44 or the pump cylinder 42 and this bore 88 is provided with a valve seat 58 onto which seats a ball valve 58. A centrally apertured, threaded plug 88 closes the end of the bore 55 and is suitably shaped tokeep the ball relatively close to its seat while permitting the ball to unseat and to pass fluid through the central aperture SI of this plug.

In addition, one of the wall portions of this.

pump cylinder 42 is formed as a valve. In the present instance the end 82 is conically formed, surrounding the plug 88 so as to seat against the conical valve seat 24 formed in the wall of the well 4 and concentrically surrounding the central radial conduit 22.

Means is hereinafter provided for shifting the combined pump cylinder 42 and valve'82 away from its seat 24 to provide aby-pass valve structure whereby to form a direct communication from the passage 22 directly into the reservoir 28 so that the chamber 84 beneath the ram I8 may be connected with the reservoir directly.

It will thus be seen that the packing 88 serves to prevent the escape of any oil in the reservoir 28 between the outer annular face of the pump cylinder and the inner wall of the sleeve 28,

The high pressure pump cylinder 42 is provided with a relatively long, rod-like pump piston 88 which is adapted to reciprocate in the bore 44 of the pump cylinder. This rod is threaded on its outer end as at 88 to connect with a head I8 having a central threaded bore I2 and a connected larger threaded counterbore I4. An internally a sleeve-like extension -28 the threaded collar I8 engag s the threads 48 on the outer end of the pump cylinder 42 beyond the end 88 ot the barrel-like extension 28 or the base. An externally threaded and centrally bored ring 18 has its outer threads engaging the internal threads 88 or the collar 18 whereby to compress a packing 82 around the pump piston 88 to prevent leakage oi oil therepast. The head 18 is likewise cross bored to receive a threaded pin 84, the inner end 01 which engages the pump cylinder 42 as at 88. The outer portion of this pin 84 passes through a slot 88 on a guide sleeve 88 surrounding the sleeve-like extension 28 of the base. The function of this s.eeve is to prevent the piston 88 from being flexed or bent laterally when the piston is drawn outwardly relatively to the piston bore 44 'in the operation of the pump. The outer end 01' the sleeve 88 is welded to the outer race of the head I8 as at 82. The outer end of the pin 84 projects through a bayonet slot I88 in another sleeve I82 which surrounds the outer end or the sleeve 88. This outer sleeve I82 encloses the head III-and is welded as at I84 to a collar I88 having an internal bore I88 and a countersunk portion 'II8 connected therewith. The bore I88 of this collar receives a rod I I2, the

inner end or which is threaded to engage the threads I4 in the head I8. The outer end of this rod H2 is provided with a hand.e II4 whereby the piston 88 may be reciprocated in its cylinder through the threaded'connection of the rod with the head I8 which in turn is threaded to the outer end of the piston 88. The pin 84 is normally confined in the wider portion of the bayonet slot I88 of the sleeve I82 but may pass through the open-ended slot I88 of this bayonet slot when in registry therewith, whereby the pin is disconnected from the sleeve I82.

. A tube H8 is welded-as at II8 to theinner face of the counterbore ill of the collar I88. This tube II8 surrounds the rod 2 and extends outwardly from the main body of the pump means and is provided with a turnable handle I28, Thus by turning the handle I28 the tube H8 is turned, the ring I88 is turned, the sleeve I82 is turned, and through the bayonet slot and pin connection 84 which in turn is connected to the cylinder 42, the pump cylinder 42 is turned so that the threads 48 will unscrew from the threaded ring 32 threadedly mounted in the outer end of the stationary sleeve 28. By means of this threaded connection 48 and. the above described turning movement, the combined pump cylinder and by-pass valve 82 is backed away from the by-pass valve seat 24 whereby to open the by-pass valve. A turning movement in the opposite direction reseats the by-pass valve.

In order to detach the relatively long handle from the sleeve 88 and head 18 which are connected to the extension 28 and pump cylinder 42, so as to leave the jack construction substantially as shown in Figure 2, the handle I28 is turned in the appropriate direction to center the pin 84 with the slot I88 or the bayonet joint. Thereupon the sleeve is pulled outwardly away from the pin 84, completely to detach this sleeve from the pin as shown in Figure 2. This sleeve, through its welded connection I84, will then carry with it the collar I88. Prior to this. however, the rod and handle H2 and H4 must be turned in the appropriate direction to unscrew the rod II2 from its threaded connection I4 with the head I8, thereby permitting the rod and handle assembly shown in Figure 2 to be detached as a enemas;

considerably shortens the jack for storage purposes and completely removes the outer portion of the pump operating and by-pass operating mechanism.

When it is desired to remove the pump cylinder and by-pass valve as a unit, starting with the assembly shown in Figure 2, the pin 84 is completely removed first. Next the sleeve 90 can be withdrawn bodily from the barrel or lateral extension 28 of the jack base. Then by means of a special wrench which fits wrench sockets in the end of the ring 34, this ring may be removed, the ring may be unscrewed from the barrel 28 and the unscrewing of this ring carries with it the combined pump cylinder and by-pass valve structure as a unit from the barrel-like extension 28 of the jack. The pump cylinder in turn may be removed from the ring by unscrewing after it has been withdrawn from the barrel.

When the complete structure is assembled. as shown in Figures 1 and 3, it will be understood that upon reciprocation of the handle M4 the I high pressure pump piston 56 will be reciprocated in a manner such that on the outstroke oil or liquid will be drawn through the port 46, past the ball valve 5 5, into the high pressure pump chamber M. In this outward movement the ball valve 56 will seat. Upon the inward movement of the pump piston 66 the ball valve it will close and the ball 53 will open, thereby permitting this liquid to be passed through opening 6|, see Figure 3, in the plug and thence through the radial passage 22 to the chamber-6d beneath the ram, whereby to force the ram upwardly as the pumping progresses. When it is desired to lower the ram, the handle no is turned in the proper direction whereby to back off the threaded connection til with the threads of the ring nut 32 in turn connecting with the stationary sleeve 28,

whereby to back the by-pass valve 62 from its seat 2t so as to permit the liquid in the chamber 64 to pass through conduit 22, thence in the passage now formed by the valve 52 spaced away from its seat 26 so that the liquid will flow directly into the reservoir 25.

Referring to the modified construction as shown in Figures 5 to 10, inclusive, wherein the operating handle extension is not removable but is part of the permanent structure of the jack, in this modified device the jack body, ram cylinder, and the valve operating mechanism is approximately the same as in my first form shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. but as will be noted, the high pressure piston 66a is directly connected to the handle operating rod 2a by the pin I22. An outer sleeve I26 is externally threaded at its outer end as at 25 to receive a knob Mile, and its opposite end is positioned in an internal bore I28 of the extension 2811 of the jack body. A packing 30 is disposed between the end of the sleeve I26 and the end of the bore I28 to prevent leakage of fluid from the reservoir 28.

Disposed in the sleeve I24 and the extension sleeve 28a is the high pressure cylinder $20, as shown in Figures 6 and 9, having threaded engagement as at I32 with the extension sleeve 28a, the opposite end of the cylinder being connected by a pin I 34 to the outer sleeve I24 and being rotatable therewith. A packing gland I 36 is situated at the end of the high pressure cylinder to prevent leakage of fluid. A cross bore E38 and an annular groove me connect with a itudinal groove I42 to form a return conduit for any fluid that might escape around the outer surface of the high pressure piston 85a.

A pair of guide washers I in combination with [the head I act to guide the high pressure piston 66a as it is drawn outwar ly when in operation.

It will be understood that operation of this device is the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, and that upon reciprocation of the handleilla the valves operate to control the flow of fluid to raise the ram piston I6. Upon rotation of the knob IZfla the sleeve I24 will rotate the cylinder 42a through the pin I34 and move the end of the cylinder 62 away from the valve seat 2|, due to the threaded engagement I32 with the extension 28a, to release the fluid past the valve 62. and into the chamber 26, to lower the jack.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction disclosed herein but is capable of other modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The inventionis hereby claimed as follows:

1. An hydraulically actuated jack comprising an upright casting having an internal, centrally disposed, upstanding integral wall providing a well, a cylinder having its lower end mounted on the walls forming said well, said cylinder passing through a first bore formed in the casting. a ram in said cylinder, a portion of the integral wall of said well having a relatively short lateral passage extending laterally, thereof and therethrough and substantially at right angles to the longitudinal central axis of said ram cylinder, the outer wall of said well concentrically about the central axis of said short lateral passageway being formed with a valve seat, said casting being provided with an integral relatively long, sleeve-like extension forming a second bore in the casting, the longitudinal central axis of which second bore registers with the central axis of said relatively short passage, said two bores constituting the only bores formed in the casting, a sleevelike high pressure pump cylinder in said second bore and a pump piston in said pump cylinder, the inner end of said pump cylinder being provided with passageways and valve means controlling the same, the inner end of said pump cylinder being formed as a valve to seat upon said valve seat, and means carried by the outer end of said pump cylinder beyond the outer end of said long sleeve-like extension for reciprocating said piston and for shifting the inner end of said cylinder away from the valve seat.

2. In an hydraulic lack, in combination with a base having a bore, a ram cylinder in the bore, and a ram in the cylinder, the base being hollowed to provide a liquid reservoir, said base having a projecting, elongated sleeve integrally formed therewith and carrying a threaded portion, a pump cylinder mounted in said sleeve and threadedly engaging said threaded portion of said sleeve, 9. second sleeve telescopingly surrounding the first sleeve, a centrally apertured head threadedly engaging the threaded outer portion of .said pump cylinder, detachable means interconnecting said second sleeve, the head and the pump cylinder, a second centrally apertured head connected to said second sleeve, 9, piston in said pump cylinder and connected to said second head, a piston operating rod threadedly connected to said second head and having a central axis registering with and extending in the line of the central axis of the piston, a third sleeve surrounding the second sleeve, a third head connected to said third sleeve, said thlrdhead receiving the piston operator therethrough, and a fourth sleeve connected to the third head and surrounding the piston operator, a handle connected to said last named sleeve for turning the latter, a handle connected to the outer end of the piston operator, and detachable means interconnecting the third sleeve with the second sleeve,

said second sleeve having a slidable connection with said first mentioned sleeve.

3. In an hydraulic jack, the combination of a Jack body bored to provide a ram cylinder and a liquid containing reservoir, a ram in the cylinder, said jack body elongated sleev e, a passage communicating with the ram cylinder and terminating in a valve seat, a pump cylinder in said first mentioned sleeve, said pump cylinder having a portion forming a by-pass valve to close upon said valve seat, a piston in said pump cylinder, means forming a connection between said pump cylinder and said sleeve to cause said sleeve to shift the by-pass valve against or away from its seat, the inner end of said pump cylinder being formed with passages and valves to connect the reservoir with the pump chamber of the pump cylinder and the pump chamber with the ram cylinder, a reciprocable, elongated piston actuator having an actuating handle on its outer end, means forming a detachable connection between said actuator and the piston, a turnable sleeve surrounding said actuator and a handle therefor for tuming the same, and means detachably interconnecting said last mentioned sleeve and said pump cylinder whereby on turning the same said pump cylinder will be shifted relative to the valve seat to relieve the ram cylinder, the detachability of said last mentioned means permitting said actuating handles and a portion of the connections to having an angularly disposed passages to interconnect the reservoir with said pump cylinder and the pump cylinder with the ram cylinder, said base having an extension form ing a first sleeve about said pump cylinder, said first sleeve and pump cylinder having interengaging means to cause the shifting of said valve seat with respect to the first valve, 9. pair of overlapping sleeves, the inner of said overlapping sleeves having a slot therethrough, and the outer overlapping sleeve having a bayonet joint communicating with the end of said pump cylinder, a pair of heads enclosed by said overlapping sleeves,

,the first of said heads being rigidly connected to the inner overlapping sleeve, the second head being connected to the pump cylinder, and a threaded pin lying in the bayonet slot of the outermost of said overlapping sleeves and lying in the elongated slot of the innermost of said overlapping sleeves and passing through said second head and being connected to the pump cylinder, a fourth sleeve, a detachable piston reciprocator guided in said fourth sleeve and connected to saidfirst head, means interconnecting the fourth sleeve with the outermost of the two overlapping sleeves so that they will turn together, and a turn ing handle on said fourth sleeve, said threaded pin and bayonet slot forming a connection whereby said outermost of said two overlapping sleeves, said detachable pis'ton reciprocator and pump cylinder turning mechanism may be detached from said jack, its pump cylinder and connected slotted overlapping sleeve whereby to render the Jack more compact.

6. In an hydraulic jack, in combination with a base having an upstanding ram cylinder and ram therein, said base having a laterally projectin be removed from the remainder of the jack to render the jack more compact.

4. In an hydraulic jack, the combination of a base having an upstanding ram cylinder and a surrounding liquid reservoir, a ram in the ram cylinder, said jack body forming an elongated sleeve, a pump cylinder disposed in said sleeve and a piston in said pump cylinder, valve means in the pump cylinder cooperating with the piston for passing liquid from the reservoir into the pump cylinder and from the pump cylinder to the ram, a by-pass valve associated with said ram cylinder and said reservoir, said by-pass valve being carried by said pump cylinder, a piston actuator forming a projection of said piston, and

means detachably interconnecting said actuator and piston for reciprocating the piston, a turnable sleeve, means interconnecting said last mentioned sleeve with said pump cylinder for turning the latter, whereby to shift said by-pass valve relatively to its seat and to relieve the ram cylinder, and means forming a detachable interconnection between at least two of said sleeves to permit a portion of the piston reciprocating and cylinder turning means to be detached from the remainder of the jack structure to render the jack more compact for storage or shipment.

5. An hydraulic jack comprising a base bored to receive a ram cylinder and providing a surrounding liquid containing reservoir, 8. ram in the cylinder, said base having a second bore disposed angularly with respect to its first bore, the base having a valve seat around said second bore and connecting the ram cylinder with the reservoir,

a pump cylinder having an end formed as a valve adapted to close upon said valve seat, a piston in said pump cylinder, there being valves and high pressure pump cylinder, the central axis of which is disposed substantially ninety degrees from the central axis of the upstanding ram, a piston in said pump cylinder and a relatively lon piston actuator extending outwardly thereof and connected thereto for reciprocating said piston, a by-pass valve integrally carried by said pump cylinder and a relatively long actuator extending outwardly of said pump cylinder and having a handle thereon for turning said by-pass valve, saidhandle for said valve turning means and said actuator for said piston reciprocating means being disposed adjacently when the piston is in its innermost position, both of said actuators extending substantially outwardly from the base of the jack substantially at right angles to said ram cylinder whereby said jack may be inserted under an automobile chassis to raise the chassis and whereby said actuators are accessible from a position clear of the body of the automobile.

7. In an hydraulic jack, the combination with a base having a centrally disposed internal upstanding wall forming a well, a sleeve upstanding from said well to form a ram cylinder, said base having a concentrically surrounding, upstanding integral casing disposed in spaced but substantially close proximity to said ram cylinder to form a liquid reservoir, a part of the integral casing surrounding the upstanding wall having an integral laterally projecting, elongated sleeve provided with a, threaded portion, and the outer face of said internal wall or said base opposite said sleeve being formed as a valve seat disposed directly in said reservoir, the wall centrally of said valve seat being bored to connect with said ram cylinder, a high pressure pump cylinder disposed in said lateral elongated sleeve and threadedly connected to the threaded portion of said elongated sleeve, a piston reciprocable in said 9 pump cylinder, said pump cylinder having an integral portion formed on its inner end as a valve conformed to close upon said valve seat, said integral end of said pump cylinder having valve passages interconnecting said reservoir and said ram cylinder upon reciprocation of said piston, and means for turning said pump cylinder through its threaded connection with said elongated sleeve to move said valve relatively to its seat.

8. In an hydraulic jack, in combination with a basal casting having integral inner walls and outer walls, the inner walls providing the bottom portion of a ram cylinder and the outer walls providing a liquid reservoir thereabout, a cylinder mounted in said inner walls, a ram in said cylinder, a valve seat formed on the outer surface of said inner walls and having a passage communicating interiorly with the ram cylinder, the outer wall of the basal casting of the jack having a long integral sleeve-like extension providing a bore the central axis of which coincides with the central axis of said valve seat, a high pressure pump cylinder in said bore, the inner portion of said pump cylinder having an integrally formed valve to close on said-valve seat, a piston in said pump cylinder, the longitudinal axis of said pump cylinder being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ram cylinder, and actuating means for reciprocating said piston, and for turning said pump cylinder from a point beyond the end of the long sleevelike extension whereby positively to shift the bypass valve with respect to its seat.

9. In an hydraulic jack, in combination with a one-piece basal casting including a base portion having internally formed and centrally disposed upstanding annular walls forming a well, a sleeve secured to said wall and upstanding therefrom to form a ram cylinder, said base having walls upstanding concentrically around and in spaced relation to said cylinder to provide a reservoir, said base having a sleeve-like, elongated, integral extension projecting angularly to said ram cylinder, said extension substantially corresponding, in length to the major portion of the height of said ram cylinder and said extension adjacent its end being internally threaded, a packing and a threaded ring, said threaded ring engaging the internal threads of said extension and serving to holdsaid packing in position, a relatively long,

tubular member disposed in said extension, said tubular member forming a high pressure pump cylinder, an elongated piston disposed in the bore of said pump cylinder, the outer end of the piston extending beyond the outer end of said pump cylinder, the inner end of the pum cylinder being suitably ported and provided with valves connecting the pump cylinder with the reservoir and with a port leading to the ram cylinder, the inner end of said pump cylinder being formed as a relief valve, the internal walls of the base of said jack being provided with a valve seat, the center of which is in line with the central axis of said pump cylinder, said valve seat being bored and connected to the ram cylinder, means disposed beyond the end of said extension on the base connecting with the high pressure pump piston for reciprocating said high pressure pump piston in the pump cylinder, and a tubular handle surrounding said pump piston reciprocating means and turnable with respect thereto and withrespect to said extension of the base and connected with said high pressure pump cylinder for causing the threaded portion of said high pressure pumpcylinder to turn with respect to their engaging threads and with respect to the extension of'the base for turning the high pressure pump cylinder with respect to its valve seat to seat and unseat the relief valve on the inner end of said high pressure pump cylinder relatively to its valve seat.

JOSEPH J. MUELLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,590,848 Nilson June 29, 1926 1,665,633 McDonell Apr. 10, 1928 9 1,713,906 Lake May 21, 1929 1,904,115 Bacon Apr. 18, 1933 2,038,974 Werner Apr. 28, 1936 2,049,335 Stephens July 28, 1936 2,052,781 Lindsay Sept. 1, 1936 2,213,285 Nilson Sept, 3, 1940 2,238,968 Brumder Apr. 22, 1941 2,334,057 Ashton Nov. 9, 1943 

